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Allan Arbon, Noel Kneebone and Ann-Marie Kuchel relax under the new verandah at the Murray Bridge RSL bowling club. Photo: Peri Strathearn.

Ten years after they vacated their old clubrooms on South Terrace, the Murray Bridge RSL bowling club’s members have finally got a facility they can be proud of once again.

More than 750 hours of volunteer labour have gone into the bowling club behind the RSL bistro in recent months, supported by a council grant.

The hard work has got them a verandah by the green, for shade on hot days; female and disabled toilets, which they lacked before; a more spacious kitchen; and a lounge with one of the best views in Murray Bridge.

Bowlers look out on the road and rail bridges across the River Murray, bathed in afternoon sunshine. Photo: Peri Strathearn.

The upgraded interior was officially opened by Mayor Brenton Lewis and life-long members Ida Warner, Florrie Lucas and Stella Altmann in November.

The verandah was added in mid-December.

Club member Noel Kneebone hoped community members would be able to make use of the clubrooms, and make the most of the council’s investment – “this is a community venue,” he said.

Volunteers prepare dinner in the bowling club’s new kitchen. Photo: Peri Strathearn.

While the physical works are now complete, work has been done behind the scenes, too.

The RSL sub-branch and bowling club recently decided to join forces and form the Murray Bridge RSL and Bowling Club Incorporated, bringing together the two organisations which had been somewhat separate since 2005.

The bowling clubrooms were originally opened in 2018, seven years after the RSL sub-branch moved to Murray Bridge’s east side.

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